Troubled Waters

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While landlubbers sit on beaches gazing out at the splendor of blue waters, blue skies and a horizon dotted with colorful sails and boats of all shapes and sizes, the people on those vessels are all too aware that safe navigation is paramount from the moment they pull away from shore.

Harbormasters and boaters also know that navigation will become more difficult as the federal government through the U.S. Coast Guard begins its plan to remove ATONs, which are navigational aids such as buoys, fixed structures, and beacons both lighted and unlighted.

During the May 26 meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board, Harbormaster Jill Simmons reported that she received a letter from the USCG advising of their plan to remove several channel markers in Mattapoisett while moving another to a yet undetermined location.

Simmons said a wide-ranging federal policy to cut costs has mandated that the USCG review all ATONs and select for “disestablishment” and removal those deemed unnecessary.

Simmons said she was sending a letter opposing disestablishment of at least two of those markers that boaters have come to depend on for decades to avoid submerged rocks.

The markers in the removal crosshairs of the USCG are the Mattapoisett Harbor buoys No. 6/Snow Rock (relocation), No. 2/Angelica Point, No. 8/Barstow Rock, and No. 10/town dock.

This policy affects boaters not just in local waters, but in all waters under the control of the USCG.

Simmons said Robinson’s Hole in Falmouth will have nearly all ATONs removed.

“They might as well just put a gate up there,” said Simmons. Anyone who has navigated that area knows the dangerous currents that swirl relentlessly in that location, Simmons added. The board members agreed, shaking their heads.

In another below-the-waterline matter, Simmons told the board that Taylor Seafood, an aquaculture enterprise that operates over 100-acres in Nasketucket Bay in Mattapoisett and Fairhaven, is under new management; however, longstanding issues with the operation, including abandonment of wires, cables, nets, and associated debris, have not been resolved.

Attending the meeting was Frank Coelho, a member of the Fairhaven Marine Resource Committee.

“At least five years ago, Marine Fisheries took pictures of the trash on the bottom,” Coelho said.

According to Simmons – although hearsay information indicated that Taylor was responsible for placing channel markers at the head of Brandt Island Cove as part of their agreement with the town – those markers were never adequate or of regulation size, some being mere plastic milk containers.

“I’ve been all around this thing,” she said with a note of exasperation.

Simmons said she had met with town counsel regarding revocation of the license, and that Taylor Seafood had been forcibly resolved as a corporation by the state.

The new company, West Island, LLC, had popped up as owner and had tried to pay for permits.

“The town refused the payment,” Simmons stated. “A revocation hearing is planned.”

Moving on to other business, MAB member Robert Moore passed out the long-awaited updated draft of rules and regulations. “You shouldn’t have to be an attorney, member of the board, or an engineer to read them…. A lay person should be able to understand them,” he said giving context to the work he and several other members have applied to the draft.

Moore also noted that, although the rules and regulations by and large have not changed, the formatting and text placement have been modified for clarity, but overall, he said, this doesn’t replace “common sense and mutual respect to your fellow boaters.”

The board members were asked to review the draft and return comments by the next meeting.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for June 30 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

 

Shakespeare Meets Marty McFly

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Laughter erupted from Old Rochester’s auditorium on the evening of May 26 as the theater class put on their annual show. This year’s production, titled Scenes from Shakespeare II, included eight of the most famous scenes from all of Shakespeare’s works, with each scene set in a different time period from the 1940s on.

Kathleen Brunelle, an English teacher at ORR, teaches the class, which is a half-year elective taken during the school day. There was a total of 35 students on the class roster at the beginning of the semester, but the call to theater lured another 10 students – who happened to have a study during the theater class period and were looking for a creative outlet to break up the monotonous school day – to join the class.

The production boasted a class comprised of nearly 30 seniors and 15 underclassmen, including a few freshmen. Work on the show really began immediately after February vacation, and the students worked tirelessly from then until opening night to deliver the most entertaining evening they could.

As Brunelle said in her speech that opened the show, “They (the students) have the chance to take the magic in these words and deliver it to you.”

Students involved in this production thoroughly enjoyed the free nature of the class – the ability to take creative liberties and just be yourself and have fun, as explained by Jessica Keegan, who played Ophelia from Hamlet.

“We were all backstage and everybody loved everything that was happening,” said Keegan. “People were dancing and singing along in the back; it was just such fun.”

Grace Stevens, who played Sir Andrew from Twelfth Night, agreed.

“The best thing about it was all the parts where you could just be free and dance,” Stevens said.

For those who participate in the school’s Drama Club on top of the theater class, it was a welcome break from the normal tension experienced when putting on a Drama Club production.

Kaeli Peters, who played Narissa from The Merchant of Venice, said, “I’m in Drama Club, and everything there is high-end and sort of stressful, but being in theater, everything was very low key and we all just came together and made it as one big group of people and just had so much ridiculous fun doing it.”

By working together for months, theater allowed those who took the class to forge friendships that may not otherwise have formed with other students.

“I think everyone talked to people they normally wouldn’t have talked to. It brought a lot of people together,” said Paul Kavanagh, who played Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing and Percy from Henry IV.

Evan Portelance, who played Petruchio from Taming of the Shrew and Olivia from Twelfth Night, explained how his senior year has been a chance to get out of his comfort zone and try new things.

“I learned, throughout this past year, that I really don’t have a comfort zone,” said Portelance. “I was willing to try everything this year. After doing Mr. ORR with him (Paul Kavanagh), it kind of broke that barrier and made this show a whole lot easier.”

But overall, the students involved felt that opening night was easily the best part of joining theater class, as Timothy Schroeder, who played Don Pedro from Much Ado About Nothing described it.

“My favorite part was the creation of it all, the culmination of all our work tonight,” said Schroeder. “Everything was great – doing the dances, doing the scenes, adding props, adding costumes. Evan’s little flourishes here and there were hysterical, but seeing it all come together and knowing that nobody is going to mess up because of the adrenaline is great.” He added, “It’s the emotion behind everything that’s just perfect.”

As for the show itself, Brunelle stepped onto the stage at 7:00 pm to introduce the group and deliver a few opening remarks. Brunelle’s daughter also stepped out to share the pre-show spotlight and had a very special announcement to make: it was her 4th birthday. Upon hearing this news, the audience broke into song to wish the young girl a ‘happy birthday.’

After the mother-daughter duo left the stage, the lights dimmed and the audience fell silent with anticipation. The curtain opened to reveal a cutout of the DeLorean car from the classic movie Back to the Future. Marty McFly, played by Corynn Rinta, and Doc, played by Camryn Kidney, entered the stage and explained that Doc’s time machine would send them hurdling through time, all in iambic pentameter, of course.

From there, the audience was taken on a hilarious ride through time from the 1940s to present day. With each new decade came a new show. Scenes were included from The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, and Henry IV: Part I. Each scene also included a choreographed musical number.

But how did this idea come together in the first place? It all started with Brunelle, who came up with the concept last year when figuring out a way to demonstrate to the audience how entertaining Shakespeare can be. By including an array of different scenes, it allows an opportunity for every individual to shine as a lead.

It also eliminates the possibility of losing a lead to illness, or switching schools, or other outside factors. If everyone is a lead, it makes for an easier time trying to find a fill-in. Most importantly, however, Brunelle was hoping that this show would be fun for those involved and allow them time in their day to be creative and have fun, as she explained when discussing the goals of the class.

“I want them to come and have fun, and I want to show the audience that Shakespeare can be versatile,” said Brunelle. “We have some really serious scenes so you can see how beautiful Shakespeare can be, but also some funny scenes, because Shakespeare is actually very funny and people just don’t know that.” She added, “So that’s their job; to just have fun with it. Theater is an elective, so it’s meant to be a time during the day to be creative and have an outlet.”

Every good show includes artistic flourishes from the actors involved, and this production was no different. Many of the comical moments onstage originated as jokes between class members that ended up being incorporated in the final show.

The creation of this production was a group effort in which everybody gave their input and helped to change the show into something that everyone grew to love.

“We all pitched in ideas for what we should so,” said Portelance. “It’s Shakespeare, so you can do really whatever you want with it.”

With such a good track record from the ORR theater class, one can only wait to see the upcoming entertainment in store next year.

By Sienna Wurl

 

Doubrava Reviews Coastal Marine Resources

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Everyone near and far knows the importance of protecting Marion’s environmentally sensitive coastline and associated wetlands. In order to keep protections in place, it sometimes takes a Philadelphia lawyer – or in the case of Marion, a Conservation Commission member – willing to go the extra mile.

On May 25 during the Marion Conservation Commission meeting, commission member Jeffrey Doubrava explained his recent efforts working with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

Correspondence from the agency asked the town to consider whether or not it wanted to place three locations along the shoreline into either “system units” or “other protected area.”

As Doubrava untangled the governmental language for the other commission members he said, “No one is ever going to build on them – ever.” But, the Planting Island Causeway, Aucoot Cove, and areas near the Kittansett Club, which are currently protected coastal areas into perpetuity, could receive additional protections, he said.

Doubrava said that if the town wished to label these locations as system units, they would be exempted from receiving any federal monies, such that might be needed in the event of natural disasters. There are also additional layers of restrictions on how the areas may be used.

If, however, the town elected to place them in the category of “other protected area,” the only additional restriction the state would put on them would be, “We couldn’t buy flood insurance,” Doubrava said.

The commission pondered which direction would be the best course of action for the town, especially given the protected status the areas enjoyed for many years. After deliberation, the commission chose to request other protected area, since it would give the town “more flexibility” if needed in the future.

Vice Chairman Joel Hartley thanked Doubrava for his work in the matter and asked him to draft a letter of response to Marine Fisheries for review by the commission at the next meeting.

In other matters before the commission, a Notice of Intent filing by the Town of Marion for reconstruction of a 337-foot stone seawall at Sprague’s Cove received a Positive Determination. An Order of Conditions was issued, which included limited use of erosion controls in the salt marsh.

Tim Lynch, 8 West Avenue, received a Negative 2 determination for his RDA filing for construction of a new egress landing with stairs.

Alexis Popik, 1 Shore Drive, also received a Negative 2 determination for the construction of an osprey platform in accordance with the Mass Audubon Society’s Osprey Project.

“This is a good thing you’re doing,” said Hartley.

Commissioner member Cindy Callow advised the commission that she had reviewed a potential mini-grant application from the Buzzards Bay Watershed Municipality, but felt that some required information could not be completed before the deadline of June 2. She also said that the grant application most likely would have to be approved by the selectmen, who would not be meeting before the deadline date. The other commission members asked her to request an extension to the deadline. Callow agreed.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for June 8 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Town House meeting room.

By Marilou Newell

 

Margaret “Peggy” Coulson Smith

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Margaret “Peggy” Coulson Smith, a long-time resident of Marion, passed away on December 9, 2015 at Sippican Health Care Center.

Born in Medford, daughter of the late Margaret M. and John Coulson, Jr., she was raised in Winchester and was a graduate of Winchester High School and Westbrook Junior College.

A loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother, Peggy’s family always came first.  She cared deeply about her friends and family and always tried to help and support others in any way that she could.  Over the course of her career, she worked at Harvard University, at the Beverly Yacht Club, in special education in the Fairhaven Public School system, and in family counseling.  In her later years, she volunteered at Sippican Health Care and looked after her friends.  An avid and accomplished bridge player, she was a member of the Sippican Tennis Club and played the game she loved multiple times a week.  Additionally, Peggy was known for her sharp intellect, curiosity, and ease in communicating with others.  A particular interest of hers was politics.  She was always up on the news, loved thinking about the world, and was very interested in new ideas.

Predeceased by her husband, John W. Smith, Jr., and sister, Ruth Coulson, she is survived by her son, Brooks C. Smith, daughter-in-law, Deidre P. Smith, sisters, Jane C. Aldrich and Mary Ann C. Phillips, and grandsons, Joshua L. Smith, Andrew G. Smith, his wife, Sarah P. Smith, and great granddaughter, Ava M. Smith.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Old Landing Cemetery, Spring St., Marion at 3 PM. A reception will follow at the Sippican Tennis Club, 20 Holmes St., Marion.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. To leave a message of condolence, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

William Peter Matthes, III

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William Peter Matthes, III died unexpectedly on June 3, 2016 at Tobey Hospital, Wareham. He was 77 years old. Born in Newton and raised in Needham, he was the son of the late William P. Matthes, Jr. and Margaret K. (Fraser) Matthes. Mr. Matthes raised his three children in Walpole with his bride, Dolores.

He graduated from Needham High in 1957. He served in the U.S. Navy on the submarine USS Sablefish 303. After leaving the Navy, he worked as a Needham Police Officer for 38 years. He was one of the original members of the Needham Police Underwater Dive Team. Mr. Matthes was a patrolman and a detective. He worked details for two years during his retirement. After completely retiring from the department, he was employed by Outback Engineering in Middleboro for five years.

Mr. Matthes married Dolores J. Bleiler at the Church of Incarnation in Melrose in 1968. Once retired, they moved permanently to Brandt Beach in Mattapoisett to live in the home that he had built with friends in 1964. This was the same home where he and his family had enjoyed many summers together.

He loved being outdoors and made wonderful memories with his family and friends. Boating in Mattapoisett was just one of his favorite pastimes. He enjoyed tinkering in his shed and taking care of his beautiful property in Mattapoisett. His cabin in Jamaica, Vermont was his second home where he spent lots of time outdoors fishing, hunting, and camping with his son, Peter, brother, David, and many other friends and family members. A man of great faith, he was a devoted Catholic and was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church.

However, there was no greater love in Peter’s life than his bride, Dolores J. (Bleiler) Matthes. More than anything else, he was a family man. He loved Dolores and their children with his whole heart and showed this love every day. Peter was enamored with his children and he was an integral part of their lives. He seemed to glow when he spent time with them and his six grandchildren. He was so proud of their accomplishments.

In addition to his bride, Dolores, Mr. Matthes leaves behind his son, Peter Matthes, his wife, Heather, and grandson, Alex, of Medway. He also leaves his daughters, Kristen Berthao, her husband Richard, and his grandchildren, Chris and Katie, of Norton, and Laura Youngquist, her husband, Jason and his grandchildren, Matthew, Meghan and Liam of Middleboro. He is survived by his brother, David Matthes, of Virginia and a niece and two nephews.

His life will be celebrated at a funeral mass that will be held on Thursday at 10 AM at Saint Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Calling hours at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals will be held from 4-7 PM on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Anthony’s Church, P.O. Box 501, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.

For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

Marion COA to Offer Free Summer Exercise Class

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Every Wednesday, the Marion Council on Aging will offer a free group exercise class from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the Marion Music Hall, Front Street.

The class – Strength and Conditioning with personal trainer Larry Bigos – is designed to strengthen your core and improve flexibility and posture. This program is for those seeking a relaxed, go-at-your-own-pace workout. Bring your own weights or use ours (limited). Open to anyone in the surrounding area over the age of 60 and made possible by a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Call 508-748-3570 for more information.

Bulldog Athletes Shine in Last Week of Season

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For fans of Old Rochester athletics, there was plenty to cheer about as the 2015-2016 season came towards a close. The Baseball team captured two big wins while Softball ended their season with a win. Some great doubles play helped Girls’ Tennis go undefeated for the week, and there were many impressive performances on display at the D-4 State Track Meet, especially the one given by junior Danny Renwick. Most teams will still compete in various state tournaments with more games to be announced this upcoming week.

            Baseball: The Bulldogs were home versus Case on Monday to start the week. Senior Bryant Salkind had a good start, allowing three runs over six innings in an 11-4 win. He also had two hits and scored twice. Junior Will Hopkins had two hits, while fellow juniors Sam Henrie and Kyle Brezinski had two apiece. On Wednesday, the boys traveled down the Cape to play the Bourne Canalmen. Henrie pitched an excellent game, garnering a win off a three-hit, 10-strikeout game in a 3-1 victory. Salkind and Brezinski continued to hit, with both generating a single and a double, while Henrie had an RBI single himself. The Bulldogs were back at home on Friday in a make-up game against rival Fairhaven High. An agonizing game saw Hopkins lose a no-hitter in the top of the final inning. The Bulldogs relinquished a 1-0 lead off some scrappy play by Fairhaven, and ended up losing 3-2. Hopkins still pitched well and wound up surrendering only one hit and two runs (one earned) over six-plus innings of work. Sophomore Mike Kennefick had three hits and a walk. Both Henrie and Hopkins reached base three times, with Hopkins hitting a triple and later scoring thanks to an RBI single from senior captain Hunter Parker.

            Softball: The Lady Bulldogs began their week away at Case, playing at Elizabeth S. Brown Elementary. Junior Olivia Labbe and senior Mia Vercellone had two hits apiece, with Vercellone driving in two runs. However, it wasn’t enough as the girls took a 7-5 loss. On Tuesday, the girls faced off with non-conference Bishop Stang, losing 12-4 against a tough competitor. They faced another non-conference opponent on Friday for their season finale, Coyle & Cassidy. Vercellone capped off her career by hitting a two-run home run that wound up as a game-winner. Fellow senior Maddie Lee pushed across three runs with a double, and junior Cassidy Burt earned her first varsity win of the season after pitching three innings in relief. The game wound up as a 10-8 win for the Lady Bulldogs, who finished their first season under coach Don DiBlasio on a high note.

Boys’ Lacrosse: The ‘Dogs lone game this week was at home against non-conference Dartmouth High on Thursday. Freshman Nathaniel King did terrific work in goal, saving 11 shots in the 6-5 victory. Junior Charlie Tirrell and sophomores Corey Lunn and Pat Kiernan all scored two goals in the win. Kiernan also had two assists in the win. The boys will be away at Tri-County Regional Voc. Tech on Wednesday in the first round of the state tournament.

            Girls’ Lacrosse: On Monday, the team traveled to Dartmouth to play non-conference Bishop Stang. Five goals from sophomore Ali Hulsebosch were instrumental in the team’s 18-11 win. A few other sophomores contributed in the offense-oriented battle: Maddie Cooney scored four goals with one assist; Maggie Adams had three goals and an assist; and Ava Ciffolillo had two goals an assist. Junior Emily Hiller also scored twice. The Lady ‘Dogs will face Ursuline Academy in the first round of the state tournament at home on Wednesday.

            Boys’ Track: The Bulldogs began the week with a meet against Bourne on Monday. Junior Jacob Cafarella had a big day, winning both the 110m hurdles (16.7) and the long jump (19-2.5) in a 72.5-59.5 victory. Other winners included freshman Matt Brogioli in the high jump (5-4), junior Eli Spevack in the triple jump (39-11.5), and sophomore Elijah McAllister in the 100m (11.9). The team’s top athletes were at Norwell High to compete in the D-4 State Meet on Saturday. Junior Danny Renwick had a fantastic day, finishing third in high jump (6-0), second in the 400m hurdles (56.3), and first in the 110m hurdles (15.07). Meanwhile, Brogioli continued his excellent freshman season with a sixth place finish in the long jump (20-5), and sophomore Harry Smith was seventh in the 110m hurdles (15.35). Renwick and Brogioli will compete at the All-State meet on Saturday.

            Girls’ Track: The girls started off against Bourne on Monday. By winning 113-12, they became the undefeated SCC champions for the seventh year in a row. Junior Brooke Santos won both the high jump (4-8) and the javelin (74-0). Other winners included freshman Michaela Mattson (400m hurdles, 81.7), sophomore Madisen Martin (shot put, 27-9), senior Lucy Milde (800m, 2:45), and freshman Kristina Hopkins (100m hurdles, 18.7). Leading Lady Bulldog runners competed at Norwell High in the D-4 State Meet on Saturday. The big highlight was an epic 4x800m win (9:51) by a team composed of Martin, sophomore Samantha Ball, junior Avery Nugent, and senior Zoe Smith.

            Boys’ Tennis: To start things off, the boys were home against their rival Wareham Vikings on Monday. They rested a few of their regulars and were taken advantage of by Wareham, who beat them 3-2. Both doubles teams won, however. The #1 team was formed by juniors Max Asker and Colin O’Malley, while the #2 team was made up of sophomores Jackson Owens and Ben Snow. They went on the road on Wednesday to play non-conference Pope John Paul II. The ‘Dogs wound up winning 4-1, as juniors Alex Bilodeau and Caleb Jagoda won their singles matches. The doubles teams made up of Asker with freshman Geoffrey Noonan, and junior Josh Lerman with sophomore Jahn Pothier, were each victorious. On Friday, the boys returned home to play the Dartmouth Indians in a doubleheader and won both matches 4-1. Jagoda got a No. 3 Singles win in both matches, as did the team of Lerman/Pothier at 1st Doubles. Noonan was part of both winning 2nd Doubles teams, pairing up with O’Malley in the first game and junior Maxx Wolski in the second. Pasquill and Bilodeau won 2nd Singles in the first and second match, respectively.

            Girls’ Tennis: The girls traveled to Wareham High for their first game of the week on Monday. They won an easy match 5-0, winning both the No. 3 Singles and No. 2 Doubles matches by default. Senior Olivia Bellefeuille and freshman Delaney Pothier were the singles winners, while the winning doubles tandem was composed of freshman Delaney Soucy and sophomore Grace Filloramo. On Wednesday, the Lady Bulldogs faced non-conference Pope John Paul II. Senior Morgan Middleton won a key match at 1st Singles to preserve a 3-2 victory. Both Doubles teams also won. The first was made up of junior Emma Collings and Pothier, while the second was made up of juniors Katelyn Bindas and Alexis Parker. They went back on the road on Friday at non-conference Dartmouth, where they played a doubleheader in order to make up a previously postponed match. The Lady Bulldogs won the matches 4-1 and 3-2 respectively, with Middleton winning at No. 1 Singles in both matches. The Doubles teams of Pothier/Collings and Parker/Bindas won in both matches, exhibiting a penchant for clutch performances. In the first match, Bellefeuile was also a winner at No. 2 Singles.

            Below are the overall spring team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of May 29.

Baseball: (12-7-0)(12-4-0); Softball: (8-13-0)(6-8-0); Boys’ Track: (8-1-0)(7-1-0); Girls’ Track: (9-0-0)(8-0-0); Boys’ Lacrosse: (10-5-0)(9-1-0); Girls’ Lacrosse: (11-5-0)(6-2-0); Boys’ Tennis: (17-2-0)(13-1-0); Girls’ Tennis: (17-3-0)(12-2-0).

Horace S. Kenney Jr.

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Horace S. Kenney Jr. (Hod) of Marion and Fall River, beloved husband of Mary M. Kenney, passed away on June 2, 2016. He is survived by: his daughter Dr. Susanna G. Russo and her husband Dwight D. Smith of San Francisco, CA; his two eldest sons Horace (Chad) S. Kenney III and his husband Vinit Namassakan, and John (Jay) P.K. Kenney and his wife Emily Sinclair of Denver, CO. He was pre-deceased by his two youngest sons Charles (Chip) C. Kenney II and William (Wick) C. Kenney both of Kenwood, CA. He was also a loving stepfather to: Mary E. (Lindsley) Muggleton of Fall River, MA; Deborah (Lindsley) Smith and her husband Donald Smith of Libby, MT; and Katherine (Lindsley) Fandetti and her husband Kenneth Fandetti of Exeter, RI. Hod was also grandfather of Clayton Kenney, Duncan Kenney, Theresa (Kenney) Morrison and step-grandfather of the late Lisa (Muggleton) Sousa and of George Muggleton Jr., Amanda Fandetti, Rebecca Smith. Hod was great-grandfather of twins Asa Claire and Beatrice (Benni) Clay Morrison. Hod is also survived by his stepsister, Janice (Turnbull) Keener of Lexington, VA. He was pre-deceased by his sister, the late Frances (Tina) Dimmick.

Hod grew up in Weston, MA where he attended Weston schools, graduated from Middlesex School in Concord, MA, Class of 1942, and Yale University, Class of 1945W in February 1948. During World War II he served in the USAAF from November 1942 to August 1945. Hod was a tail gunner on a B-17, flying with the Eighth Air Force, 333rd Bomb Group in England and was wounded on March 26, 1944. Hod spent the balance of his service in various hospitals. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. After his discharge he returned to Yale in September 1945 where he was a member of Zeta Psi. Hod served on the Board of Yale Record and he graduated with a BA in Economics.

Hod’s business life was mostly in management at various manufacturing companies, except for six plus years when he was with Alexander Proudfoot Company, a management consultant company based in Chicago, IL. He began his career in manufacturing with The Wanskuck Company, an integrated worsted textile manufacturer in 1947 in Providence, RI. He retired 40 years later as manager of manufacturing for Standard-Thomson of Waltham, MA, a high volume original equipment manufacturer of automotive parts.

In retirement Hod spent time on a new interest, land conservation, which was introduced to him by his youngest child, Wick on the golf course in the 1980’s. Hod served on the Marion Conservation Commission from 1988-1998 and was a Director of the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) of Marion from 1990-2012 as well as its president from 1994-2004. He was a member of the Agawam Hunt Golf Club in Rumford, RI as well as Beverly Yacht club and the Kittansett Club. Hod spent many happy hours sailing “Blue Bird” his Herreshoff 12 ½ and later “Spirit of Sonoma” his Herreshoff Golden Eye in the waters of Marion and Planting Island Cove. Mary and Hod moved to Bay View Apartments in Fall River, MA in 2006.

Arrangements are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place, Fall River. A memorial service will be arranged by the family at a later date. Burial Private. Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Sippican Land Trust, 354 Front St., Marion, MA 02738 or The Home, 1168 Highland Ave, Fall River, MA 02720. For tributes: www.waring-sullivan.com

Board Wary of Solar Developer’s Intentions

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The Rochester Planning Board almost came down hard on Perry’s Lane solar farm developer Jay Myrto of Clean Energy Collective on May 25 after the board questioned whether Myrto proceeded in bad faith in continuing with the construction of the solar farm after the board told him at the last meeting to fix the screening problem before installing the solar panels.

Myrto argued that the panels were not installed as the board specified – only the posts were.

Back on May 10, the board ordered Myrto to address a number of trees the board deemed ineffective in screening the project from view from Mary’s Pond.

Attorney Richard Serkey explained that the developer’s proposed solution was to install a solid wood cedar fence lifted 6 inches off the ground and extended alongside the Mary’s Pond corner about 350 more feet.

Chairman Arnold Johnson said the change was likely minute enough to simply amend the special permit conditions, but insisted the fence had to be installed immediately.

Johnson said he spotted a pile driver at the site the week before and about “95 percent” of the posts driven in. He said he didn’t understand why Myrto went further with the work before the screening issue was rectified.

“We like to learn from all our projects,” said Johnson. “So what we learned here is, from now on … we’re going to get even tighter and the screening will be in until any construction takes place.”

Myrto argued that, just as the board stated at the prior meeting, “The screening, per the plans, was done.” After all, the trees planted were the size the board approved. It wasn’t until after they were installed that the board saw they were too scrawny to screen the project from the outside.

What ensued was a showdown of sorts between the board and the developer, which almost led to the re-opening of the public hearing and the need to re-advertise the hearing and submit an updated plan – not exactly what any developer wants midway through a project.

Town Counsel Blair Bailey voiced concern that the board initially expressed its intent, which was not aligned with the developer’s subsequent actions.

“I suggest the board vote to re-open the permit, post a new hearing, and amend it,” said Attorney Bailey. “If that’s the relationship, then we can do that.”

This “surprised” Myrto, the developer said. He pointed out that, when the board initially brought the matter to his attention two weeks prior, they met with the board that very day.

“We’ve shown, I think, that we work with the board,” said Myrto, “so the idea that we have to stop work seems absurd. There’s no harm here.” He continued, “There’s no safety concern.”

Planning Board member Ben Bailey told Myrto he had some sympathy for him as a businessman.

“But I think you made a mistake if your intention was to ignore us after the meeting…. I really think you should have at least called the chairman,” board member Bailey said. “I think you’ve offended him by doing one thing and saying another.” Bailey then suggested Myrto apologize to Johnson and the board; either that, or possibly follow Attorney Bailey’s advice, which board member Bailey said he found “very harsh.”

Myrto recounted what the board specifically ordered at the last meeting and said, in his own defense, that the board told him: “I don’t want the panels going in.”

“The panels didn’t go in,” said Myrto. (Just the posts).

Board member Bailey objected to Myrto’s defense.

“I just extended you an olive branch and what we got in return was adversarial,” Bailey said. He then made the motion to re-open the public hearing as Attorney Bailey suggested, and it was immediately seconded. Johnson, however, called for further discussion before a vote.

Serkey suggested a five-minute recess to advise his client.

It was already encroaching on the two-and-a-half hour point into the meeting when Serkey and Myrto returned. Serkey told the board that Myrto would order the fence in the morning and have it installed right away to keep from having the hearing re-opened. Attorney Bailey advised the board to re-open the hearing unless it receives the offer in writing from Serkey in the morning.

Board member Bailey amended his motion to re-open the hearing if the fence was not installed by the next Planning Board meeting. Johnson figured it would take about one day to install once the materials were available. The board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.

“I apologize for anything … and misunderstandings,” said Myrto.

Also during the meeting, the board voted to indefinitely postpone a citizen’s petition article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant calling for prohibiting the conversion of a single-family house into a two-family within a 1,200-foot buffer between the closest residences.

“This would actually prohibit the conversion,” said Johnson.

“Not really,” said Tobias Paulo, the Bradford Estates resident who filed the petition for the article.

Johnson said, if you draw a circle around a proposed two-family conversion property, it would be half-mile radius.

“This is a prohibition,” said Johnson, especially when factoring in the two-acre parcel minimum. “If it happened to pass at Town Meeting, there’s a strong likelihood that the [attorney general] would turn it down. Even if it didn’t,” Johnson continued, “the ZBA would grant variances on this all day.”

Paulo said he just wanted to “protect” the town from two-family houses devaluing the property values of single-family homes.

“But this isn’t protecting them; this is taking away their rights,” said Planning Board member John DeMaggio.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for June 14 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

 

MATTREC Summer Clinics & Programs

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Mattapoisett Recreation is offering the following summer clinics. These programs are open to all Tri-Town residents and family members.

Summer Conditioning Clinic: Grades 4-6; 4:00 – 5:30 pm; Tuesdays & Thursdays, July 12-August 4 at Old Hammondtown School. This clinic is geared towards children interested in increasing their conditioning levels in a fun and safe environment. The clinics will focus on youth conditioning through speed, agility, strength and power drills along with fun game play. Chad Cabeceiras (Mr. C) will direct the clinics. Cost is $130. Registration deadline is July 5. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Bay Club Golf: Ages 5-8 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm, Ages 9-12 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm; Wednesdays, July 6-27 at The Bay Club. MATTREC is excited to partner with The Bay Club and their PGA professionals again for summer golf clinics. Each session will offer instruction on the fundamental skills of golf and how those skills are then used to have fun playing the game of golf. Ages 5-8 will do the SNAG golf program and equipment will be provided. Ages 9-12 will take their game to the next level utilizing the practice facility, short game area and course play. Players will need to bring their own clubs. Space is limited so sign up early! Cost is $80. Registration deadline is June 30.

Summer Tennis Clinic: Ages 5-8 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm, Ages 9 & up from 6:00 – 7:00 pm; Wednesdays, July 6-August 10 at Hammond Street Courts. MATTREC is offering summer tennis lessons at the Hammond Street Tennis Courts. Stevie Lake, Assistant Pro at the Casino tennis club, will teach the 6-week tennis program. Classes will consist of instruction and game play. This program is designed for girls and boys ages 5 & up. Cost is $80. Registration deadline is June 27.

Outdoor Summer Yoga: Ages 5-10; 4:00 – 5:00 pm; Tuesdays, July 5-August 16 (no class July 26) at Center School (near Council on Aging entrance) Join MATTREC and certified children’s yoga instructor Lynda Jacobvitz for an outdoor Summer Yoga class. Explore age-appropriate yoga poses and creative movement through music, games, and storytelling. Cost is $60. Registration deadline is July 1.

Swimming Lessons: Ages 3-12; Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays & Thursdays, July 11-28 at Mattapoisett Town Beach. Intermediate level 9:30 – 10:15 am, Beginner Youth 10:30 – 11:00 am, Pre-school (age 3-5) 11:00 – 11:30 am. Cost is $45. Registration deadline is July 1. Space is limited to 6-8 participants per class.

Competitive Basketball Training Clinic will be held July 11-15 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at ORR High School Gymnasium. This clinic is geared towards competitive travel/AAU level basketball players in Grades 4-8. The clinic will be run by Brian Rudolph, a former Division 1 basketball player at Loyola University & former Cabo Verde International Team point guard and current New Bedford High School JV coach. The clinic will focus on ball handling, footwork, shooting, finishing moves, defensive techniques, conditioning and basketball IQ. Cost is $150. Sign up deadline is July 5. Space is limited to 26 players.

Shooting Stars Girls Instructional Basketball Clinic will be held July 18-22 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Old Hammondtown School gym. This clinic is geared towards instructional level players in Grades 3-5. The clinic will focus on ball handling, passing, shooting, man-to-man defensive techniques, footwork and gameplay. Director Julie Letourneau is a former Division 2 basketball player who played professionally in Luxembourg and currently coaches with the MATTREC basketball program. Cost is $150. Sign up deadline is July 12.

Nature Explorers Program will be held July 25-29 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (with possible additional week August 1-5). Join MATTREC and the Marion Natural History Museum to explore some of Mattapoisett’s unique natural areas including Ned’s Point Lighthouse, Aucoot Cove, the Mattapoisett River, along with various salt marshes, bogs, forests and Land Trust properties. Participants will visit with local aquaculture operators, the Harbormaster, Shellfish Officer, and other local authorities. Your child will enjoy exploring nature with Elizabeth Leidhold, Director/Lead Educator at the Marion Natural History Museum and Mattapoisett’s Conservation Agent. Cost is $125. Sign up deadline is July 6.

Space is limited, so make sure to register on-line today at www.mattrec.net.

Like our Mattapoisett Recreation Facebook page. Late registration forms will only be accepted if space is available. If you have questions on any programs, please email mattrec@mattapoisett.net or call 508-758-4548.